Page 30 | To feel sorry for Ed Sheeran.....

mids2019 · 2026-09-16T15:19:52+00:00

So Ed Sheeran's tour is in tatters simply because he believes music for entertainment and personally he likes to keep politics out of it (as many many stars do). Simply because his --support wanted to highlight the oppressed people of Iran and the use of capital punishment to stifle dissent -- support wanted to bring up Gaza without any reference to the start of the war due to a massacre on October 7th and Ed didn't want that he is suddenly the bad guy? Perhaps Ed succumbed to sing of thinking of Jews in the audience and the connotations of 'Free Paelstine' he is now on the naughty step of virtue signallers. So all those Sheeran fans could lose out seeing someone they have waited months to see because some humpty has to jump on the Gaza bandwagon with a few trite soundbites as part of his act (because hey the ME isn't complicated) to look a bit radical or whatever. Bloody disgrace.

Twiglets1 · 17/09/2026 21:22

KeepOnCleaning · 17/09/2026 17:15

I haven't read the whole thread.
I think the experience of Jewish people in the audience is being missed.
I'm not making an argument about whether Macklemore is right or wrong about Israel/Gaza, or whether he is entitled to hold and express those views. He obviously is. But people had paid a lot of money to go to an Ed Sheeran concert, not a political event, and I don't think it is unreasonable for Sheeran to want his concerts to be somewhere people can simply be entertained for an evening.
I'm Jewish, and had I been there I would have felt extremely uncomfortable and may well have left. And ironically, Macklemore specifically reassuring the audience that his criticism wasn't directed at Jews would have made me more uncomfortable, not less. Because until that point I am just someone in the audience. The moment you address "my Jewish brothers and sisters" to tell us that your accusations of genocide and apartheid aren't about us, you have singled us out as Jews. He didn't feel the need to reassure the Christians, Muslims, Hindus or atheists in the stadium that he wasn't talking about them. He specifically called attention to the Jews.
And this is the bit I think is largely absent from the discussion. Jewish people are constantly told that criticism of Israel "isn't about Jews", without much interest in hearing from ordinary Jewish people about what it actually feels like when this happens in spaces that have nothing to do with Israel or politics. Sometimes saying "don't worry, this isn't about Jews" is precisely what makes you suddenly feel that it is about you as a Jew.
So I don't particularly see Sheeran wanting to keep his concerts politically neutral as cowardice or a lack of backbone. There are people in that audience whose experience matters too, even if their discomfort doesn't fit neatly into the political argument.

Well said ... and this is why a lot of artists don't want to "pick a side" in what has been a highly controversial war. Ed Sheeran obviously doesn't want to make his Jewish fans feel uncomfortable or any of his fans so he made the choice not to say which side he feels most empathy for. That is his right as a human and people should respect it.

AnyfoolcanknowThepointistounderstand · 17/09/2026 20:31

MissyB1 · 17/09/2026 19:47

But I was pointing out why the rhetoric youre talking about might be happening. Has it not occurred to you at all why Israel is so unpopular?

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Yes, because as Oct 7th proved with absolute clarity, the oldest hatred - Jew hate, is still ingrained into a large proportion of humanity.

Of course that's definitely is not projected onto the world's only Jewish State.

A tiny sliver of land thousands of miles away surrounded by Arab Muslim countries.

inamarina · 17/09/2026 20:13

MissyB1 · 17/09/2026 19:47

But I was pointing out why the rhetoric youre talking about might be happening. Has it not occurred to you at all why Israel is so unpopular?

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Has Israel ever been ‘popular’, under any government?
And popular with whom, the type of people who frantically celebrated the October 7th attack, both in Gaza and in the West?
Do you think Israel could endear itself with those people if only their government was nicer?
I was talking about people who proudly declare themselves ‘anti-Zionist’ in my previous post, no need to come up with excuses for them.

MissyB1 · 17/09/2026 19:47

inamarina · 17/09/2026 19:15

And there is also a ‘certain rhetoric’ coming from Hamas, which is equally distasteful and hateful. In fact, it’s even embedded in their founding charter.
I wasn’t talking about them or the Israeli government though.
I was talking about the rhetoric used in Western countries.

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But I was pointing out why the rhetoric youre talking about might be happening. Has it not occurred to you at all why Israel is so unpopular?

KeepOnCleaning · 17/09/2026 19:15

DeterminedRat · 17/09/2026 18:53

And ironically, Macklemore specifically reassuring the audience that his criticism wasn't directed at Jews would have made me more uncomfortable, not less.

He didn't feel the need to reassure the Christians, Muslims, Hindus or atheists in the stadium that he wasn't talking about them. He specifically called attention to the Jews.

As far as I'm aware he added this on this second night because he was told on the first night that hearing about the mass slaughter in Gaza made some Jewish people at the concert feel unsafe. So I suppose this was his way to try and reassure the people who complained that it's not about them, that's why he didn't reassure Muslims or Hindus or anyone else because they hadn't said that hearing about the destruction of Gaza at his performance made them feel uncomfortable.

It was Jewish people who specifically called attention to the fact that they felt uncomfortable so it was Jewish people he specifically spoke to to try and reassure them.

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I understand why he did it. I'm not suggesting he randomly chose Jews rather than Muslims or Hindus. I understand that Jewish people had expressed discomfort after the first night and that he presumably intended his comments on the second night to reassure them. But I think that's slightly missing my point.

The fact that Jewish people were the ones who felt uncomfortable on the first night doesn't somehow invalidate that discomfort, nor does explaining why he singled them out change how it might feel to be a Jewish person in that audience on the second night.

That's actually the thing I'm struggling to articulate. There seems to be an assumption that if someone says "this isn't about Jews", Jewish people should therefore feel reassured – and if we don't, there must be something questionable about why we associated ourselves with it in the first place.

I don't need Macklemore to tell me whether his criticism is aimed at me personally. I hadn't gone there representing Israel or anybody else. I'd gone there as a person who bought a ticket to an Ed Sheeran concert.

So yes, I completely understand why he addressed Jews. My point is that being specifically addressed as a Jew in a stadium full of people, during a highly charged political speech about Israel, could itself have made me very uncomfortable. His intention may have been reassurance; that doesn't mean every Jewish person had to experience it as reassuring.

And I think Jewish people should be allowed to explain that experience without first having to justify why the first group of Jewish concert goers had any right to feel uncomfortable at all.

inamarina · 17/09/2026 19:15

MissyB1 · 17/09/2026 19:03

And there is a "certain rhetoric" coming from the Israeli Government which is deeply distasteful, hateful, and often downright racist Oh and if we're worried about wishing death on people, well members of the Israeli Government do precisely that loudly proudly about the Palestinian people.

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And there is also a ‘certain rhetoric’ coming from Hamas, which is equally distasteful and hateful. In fact, it’s even embedded in their founding charter.
I wasn’t talking about them or the Israeli government though.
I was talking about the rhetoric used in Western countries.

MissyB1 · 17/09/2026 19:03

inamarina · 17/09/2026 18:49

I think there is a certain rhetoric surrounding Israel, that makes it easier for people to be really opinionated, without looking too closely at historical complexities.

It’s like when someone confidently proclaims that they’re not antisemitic, simply anti-Zionist.
I’ve heard people I know personally use the word “Zionism” with a clearly very negative connotation, and I do wonder if they actually know what it means.

Or the ‘Death to the IDF’ chant - is there ever any other army/ government people wish death upon from a festival stage? And what do they think would happen to Israel without its defence force? A country, that was attacked by five of its neighbours the very next day after its inception?

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And there is a "certain rhetoric" coming from the Israeli Government which is deeply distasteful, hateful, and often downright racist Oh and if we're worried about wishing death on people, well members of the Israeli Government do precisely that loudly proudly about the Palestinian people.

DeterminedRat · 17/09/2026 18:53

KeepOnCleaning · 17/09/2026 17:15

I haven't read the whole thread.
I think the experience of Jewish people in the audience is being missed.
I'm not making an argument about whether Macklemore is right or wrong about Israel/Gaza, or whether he is entitled to hold and express those views. He obviously is. But people had paid a lot of money to go to an Ed Sheeran concert, not a political event, and I don't think it is unreasonable for Sheeran to want his concerts to be somewhere people can simply be entertained for an evening.
I'm Jewish, and had I been there I would have felt extremely uncomfortable and may well have left. And ironically, Macklemore specifically reassuring the audience that his criticism wasn't directed at Jews would have made me more uncomfortable, not less. Because until that point I am just someone in the audience. The moment you address "my Jewish brothers and sisters" to tell us that your accusations of genocide and apartheid aren't about us, you have singled us out as Jews. He didn't feel the need to reassure the Christians, Muslims, Hindus or atheists in the stadium that he wasn't talking about them. He specifically called attention to the Jews.
And this is the bit I think is largely absent from the discussion. Jewish people are constantly told that criticism of Israel "isn't about Jews", without much interest in hearing from ordinary Jewish people about what it actually feels like when this happens in spaces that have nothing to do with Israel or politics. Sometimes saying "don't worry, this isn't about Jews" is precisely what makes you suddenly feel that it is about you as a Jew.
So I don't particularly see Sheeran wanting to keep his concerts politically neutral as cowardice or a lack of backbone. There are people in that audience whose experience matters too, even if their discomfort doesn't fit neatly into the political argument.

And ironically, Macklemore specifically reassuring the audience that his criticism wasn't directed at Jews would have made me more uncomfortable, not less.

He didn't feel the need to reassure the Christians, Muslims, Hindus or atheists in the stadium that he wasn't talking about them. He specifically called attention to the Jews.

As far as I'm aware he added this on this second night because he was told on the first night that hearing about the mass slaughter in Gaza made some Jewish people at the concert feel unsafe. So I suppose this was his way to try and reassure the people who complained that it's not about them, that's why he didn't reassure Muslims or Hindus or anyone else because they hadn't said that hearing about the destruction of Gaza at his performance made them feel uncomfortable.

It was Jewish people who specifically called attention to the fact that they felt uncomfortable so it was Jewish people he specifically spoke to to try and reassure them.

inamarina · 17/09/2026 18:49

TheOneAndOnlyLaura · 17/09/2026 17:45

Thank you @KeepOnCleaning - that’s really well articulated. I’m not Jewish, but absolutely feel this. Similarly with Glastonbury last year. I was really horrified by the inability of friends of mine to recognise how those chants would have been received by Jewish members of the crowd.

I think there is a certain rhetoric surrounding Israel, that makes it easier for people to be really opinionated, without looking too closely at historical complexities.

It’s like when someone confidently proclaims that they’re not antisemitic, simply anti-Zionist.
I’ve heard people I know personally use the word “Zionism” with a clearly very negative connotation, and I do wonder if they actually know what it means.

Or the ‘Death to the IDF’ chant - is there ever any other army/ government people wish death upon from a festival stage? And what do they think would happen to Israel without its defence force? A country, that was attacked by five of its neighbours the very next day after its inception?

inamarina · 17/09/2026 18:22

KeepOnCleaning · 17/09/2026 17:15

I haven't read the whole thread.
I think the experience of Jewish people in the audience is being missed.
I'm not making an argument about whether Macklemore is right or wrong about Israel/Gaza, or whether he is entitled to hold and express those views. He obviously is. But people had paid a lot of money to go to an Ed Sheeran concert, not a political event, and I don't think it is unreasonable for Sheeran to want his concerts to be somewhere people can simply be entertained for an evening.
I'm Jewish, and had I been there I would have felt extremely uncomfortable and may well have left. And ironically, Macklemore specifically reassuring the audience that his criticism wasn't directed at Jews would have made me more uncomfortable, not less. Because until that point I am just someone in the audience. The moment you address "my Jewish brothers and sisters" to tell us that your accusations of genocide and apartheid aren't about us, you have singled us out as Jews. He didn't feel the need to reassure the Christians, Muslims, Hindus or atheists in the stadium that he wasn't talking about them. He specifically called attention to the Jews.
And this is the bit I think is largely absent from the discussion. Jewish people are constantly told that criticism of Israel "isn't about Jews", without much interest in hearing from ordinary Jewish people about what it actually feels like when this happens in spaces that have nothing to do with Israel or politics. Sometimes saying "don't worry, this isn't about Jews" is precisely what makes you suddenly feel that it is about you as a Jew.
So I don't particularly see Sheeran wanting to keep his concerts politically neutral as cowardice or a lack of backbone. There are people in that audience whose experience matters too, even if their discomfort doesn't fit neatly into the political argument.

Really interesting and insightful post, thank you 💐

bingobangs · 17/09/2026 18:16

What was he meant to do? Cancel a tour date? Would insurance cover that & what about his fans?

TheOneAndOnlyLaura · 17/09/2026 17:45

Thank you @KeepOnCleaning - that’s really well articulated. I’m not Jewish, but absolutely feel this. Similarly with Glastonbury last year. I was really horrified by the inability of friends of mine to recognise how those chants would have been received by Jewish members of the crowd.

KeepOnCleaning · 17/09/2026 17:15

I haven't read the whole thread.
I think the experience of Jewish people in the audience is being missed.
I'm not making an argument about whether Macklemore is right or wrong about Israel/Gaza, or whether he is entitled to hold and express those views. He obviously is. But people had paid a lot of money to go to an Ed Sheeran concert, not a political event, and I don't think it is unreasonable for Sheeran to want his concerts to be somewhere people can simply be entertained for an evening.
I'm Jewish, and had I been there I would have felt extremely uncomfortable and may well have left. And ironically, Macklemore specifically reassuring the audience that his criticism wasn't directed at Jews would have made me more uncomfortable, not less. Because until that point I am just someone in the audience. The moment you address "my Jewish brothers and sisters" to tell us that your accusations of genocide and apartheid aren't about us, you have singled us out as Jews. He didn't feel the need to reassure the Christians, Muslims, Hindus or atheists in the stadium that he wasn't talking about them. He specifically called attention to the Jews.
And this is the bit I think is largely absent from the discussion. Jewish people are constantly told that criticism of Israel "isn't about Jews", without much interest in hearing from ordinary Jewish people about what it actually feels like when this happens in spaces that have nothing to do with Israel or politics. Sometimes saying "don't worry, this isn't about Jews" is precisely what makes you suddenly feel that it is about you as a Jew.
So I don't particularly see Sheeran wanting to keep his concerts politically neutral as cowardice or a lack of backbone. There are people in that audience whose experience matters too, even if their discomfort doesn't fit neatly into the political argument.

ThisRedZebra · 17/09/2026 16:16

TheOneAndOnlyLaura · 17/09/2026 16:11

@BerthaPotts why though? Why on earth should a singer of bland but hummable pop be expected to publicise his opinions on Middle Eastern politics? And why would he deliberately alienate half his audience either way by doing so? It’s just basic manners, surely, not to impose his views on his audiences?

Its a shame his hand was forced by Kraft to take a side. But that's what happened. And he chose to side with the Zionist billionaire who was inserting his own political views into Ed's tour with a health side dish of immense power and threats. I don't envy the position he was put in at all. But he and everyone who looks at it must be able to see that by staying silent he allowed Kraft's opinion to matter more than Mucklemores

TheOneAndOnlyLaura · 17/09/2026 16:11

@BerthaPotts why though? Why on earth should a singer of bland but hummable pop be expected to publicise his opinions on Middle Eastern politics? And why would he deliberately alienate half his audience either way by doing so? It’s just basic manners, surely, not to impose his views on his audiences?

BerthaPotts · 17/09/2026 15:53

Trying to play both ways was never going to work out well. I would have had more respect for him if he took a stance, even if it was against my opinion.

ThisRedZebra · 17/09/2026 15:53

Orangeyoucan · 17/09/2026 13:23

Well, I’ve heard people saying “free Palestine” and “genocide” and “from the river to the sea” (do they even understand what that means??) non-stop since October 7th.

Not once have I ever heard anyone say “Free Iran” for example.

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Iran is a free, recognized country. It wouldn't make sense to say free Iran.

In terms of response to what happens to the people within Iran, the country is subject to strict embargos by US and UK governments among others, which is a pretty stark difference to how these governments chum up to Israel. The west have been pretty clear about punishing Iran for their perceived wrongdoing but just will not apply the same criticism to Israel who is occupying Palestine. You can't argue they're not, as only a colonial power (rather than a poor, picked upon neighbour) would be able to close borders, intercept aid by land and sea and take and abuse endless 'prisoners' (a fancy word for hostages).

BerthaPotts · 17/09/2026 15:51

I don't feel particularly sorry for Ed.

thisismeithinkorisit · 17/09/2026 15:02

mb94ks · 17/09/2026 14:44

It’s also bullying to not include someone and effectively sack someone for their political beliefs. He had the opportunity to say to the rich, regardless of my stance on the matter; no one should lose their job because of their beliefs.
The Beatles refused to perform when crowds were segregated…and their heights of media and popularity were minuscule compared to this generation with the likes of social media etc.
Also Ed has on numerous occasions made music political and had no issues coming out in support for the likes of Ukraine..
My issue isn’t actually related to my beliefs on the situation in Gaza, it’s related to an artist being effectively fired because they voiced an opinion…

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A decision Ed has made clear wasn't his.

thisismeithinkorisit · 17/09/2026 15:01

Mungo67 · 17/09/2026 12:41

Nope. He got what he deserved for being spineless.

Your spine seems to involve either making his concerts - full of different people with different backgrounds, kids etc into a political space and thus putting lives literally in danger potentially OR walking away from the entire tour, letting down people who have likely worked hard to afford expensive tickets, travel etc., whilst also putting hundreds of support staff out of work.

MissyB1 · 17/09/2026 14:50

Well this should cheer Ed up, apparently Tommy Robinson has come out in support of him - bet he needs that like a hole in the head 🤣🤣

Greenleavesandsunshine · 17/09/2026 14:50

mb94ks · 17/09/2026 14:44

It’s also bullying to not include someone and effectively sack someone for their political beliefs. He had the opportunity to say to the rich, regardless of my stance on the matter; no one should lose their job because of their beliefs.
The Beatles refused to perform when crowds were segregated…and their heights of media and popularity were minuscule compared to this generation with the likes of social media etc.
Also Ed has on numerous occasions made music political and had no issues coming out in support for the likes of Ukraine..
My issue isn’t actually related to my beliefs on the situation in Gaza, it’s related to an artist being effectively fired because they voiced an opinion…

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You can’t always express you opinions at work. Teachers can’t, civil servants can’t, police officers, the list goes on.
You are free to hold those opinions but in some situations you might lose your job if you express them - that’s life.

mb94ks · 17/09/2026 14:44

mids2019 · 16/09/2026 16:46

He did not say anything against the people of Gaza. Ed simply decided he didn't want a political dimension to a concert. It is simply bullying to not support musicians right to not get involved or wish to say silent. Maybe Ed does support the people of Gaza who knows but he made a moral decision to not have political statement at a gig and people should repect that.

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It’s also bullying to not include someone and effectively sack someone for their political beliefs. He had the opportunity to say to the rich, regardless of my stance on the matter; no one should lose their job because of their beliefs.
The Beatles refused to perform when crowds were segregated…and their heights of media and popularity were minuscule compared to this generation with the likes of social media etc.
Also Ed has on numerous occasions made music political and had no issues coming out in support for the likes of Ukraine..
My issue isn’t actually related to my beliefs on the situation in Gaza, it’s related to an artist being effectively fired because they voiced an opinion…

Hollyholiday2 · 17/09/2026 13:58

I think we all want better times and regime change for Iran.

OpheliaWasntMad · 17/09/2026 13:49

Hollyholiday2 · 17/09/2026 13:46

Trump style? You have seen how that is working out…..Iran is already a pariah state. Uk has sanctions against Iran.

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You asked what I would like Iran to be freed from. I answered that question.

No I’m not a fan of Trump’s way of doing things.